WWYD? Question about preceptor.

[MIcrunchyRN]

Ok what would you do?

I am orienting on a women's surgical specialty floor. This is my first Nursing job and I graduated in December.

So my preceptor pretty much sits around and talks the whole day while I'm doing my thing. I constantly spend half my day trying to find her to ask her questions about all of the paperwork. Skills wise I feel comfortable, and she will observe me doing anything new the first time anyways. But I feel like she's not really guiding me I'm having to seek her out. The skills I learned in nursing school isn't this orienting supposed to be about learning all the paperwork and how to take on more than 2 pts anyways?

Well the other day my preceptor was off and I was put with another preceptor on short notice. This preceptor wasn't with me the whole time but she kept an eye on what I was doing and would review my charting after I did it. She gave me pointers and advice about different things without me needing to ask. I did two discharges solo but then she went thru my whole chart and discharge paperwork to make sure I didn't miss anything. And would let me know if I did or what I can add or take out. I really liked how she was teaching me and as the day went on I did feel more like I was getting the hang of everything.

Should I just stick it out with the old preceptor or ask about the new on? The new one works most days I do anyways so maybe I can just bounce questions off her? My scheudle for orientation is already set with the first preceptor and I don't want to cause issues by changing preceptors I just feel like I'd learn better with the 2nd one.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

I would "beat around the bush" with your nurse manager to request a new preceptor essentially, without dissing the other one. Say something like, "I've learned a lot from Preceptor 1, but everyone on the floor seems to have a different style. I liked working with Preceptor 2 as well. Is there any way I can work with someone else for a few weeks just to pick up on different styles and get a wide variety of experience while I find which methods work best for me?"

[sandy123]

I would totally try to get with a good preceptor if the opportunity is there. I am in 4th week of my preceptorship and had the same nurse for first 3 1/2 weeks. She was awesome. She went out for surgery of her own on Wed so last couple of days I had a different preceptor who talked to other staff too much and yesterday was hell. I know if my first preceptor had been with me, she would have been more helpful and the day would have gone better. I left feeling deflated for the first time in my orientation, but when I got home realized I made it through a really rough day with minimal assistance, so once on my own I think I'll be fine because the nurses on my shift really work well as a team.

Orientation is the opportunity to work out the kinks so anything you can do to make it smoother, I say it is worth it. Might be uncomfortable with the other person, but if you explain it tactfully that the other nurses style fits you better, hopefully she/he will understand and respect you for standing up for yourself.

Good luck!

[NotReady4PrimeTime, RN]

Another thing is that Preceptor 2 doesn't necessarily have to be an assigned resource for you for her to BE a resource for you. I'm often subbed in for someone else like you've described, and I'm more than happy to answer questions or provide a helping hand to pretty much anyone, but especially those I've spent a day or two with. There are people who have good precepting skills and there are those who don't. So if it turns out that you can't be switched, you can still bounce things off Preceptor 2.

[locolorenzo22, BSN, RN]

Yeah, I've been with 3 different preceptors over the last 3 weeks....my first one had a family issue come up, so she's been off for a couple of weeks. my second one was good on teaching, but she did also just kind of observe, let me do my thing and jump in only if I wasn't sure about something....then my 3rd one wound up only being there 1 of my 2 days....now, I don't know who I work with this weekend, but I just plan on taking a few patients and living with that...

I would just ask to be with 1-2 different preceptors to "observe" different styles....no harm in asking.

[NurseLay]

I think you should speak to your current preceptor about your learning needs and see if she can accomodate them, like tell her that you think you learn better when you are being provided with feedback about your charting and stuff like that. Then, if her teaching style doesn't accomodate your needs, I would speak to the nurse manager or orientation coordinator to see what could be worked out.

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

I had different preceptors both in my LPN and RN orientations. What I liked about having different preceptors was seeing individual differences in nursing practice. I'm really glad I didn't stick with one preceptor, because it gave me the opportunity to draw upon the different strengths of each. We all have our strengths and our weaknesses.

[L&DRN08, RN]

I am a new RN on a postpartum/L&D unit. I've been bounced from preceptor to preceptor since I started in April. Its been awful. Of all the preceptors I've had I think 2 of them have actually been beneficial. I swear i think most of them do it because it gives them a little extra in their paycheck. On the days when I had a knowledgeable preceptor (one who actually observed me, checked my notes, gave advice) I felt like I really "get it" on the days when I don't, I feel like I want to throw in the towel. On Postpartum it wasn't a problem because it was much easier than L & D, but L&D is a lot to take in & learn. I asked to be paired up with a certain preceptor who was AMAZING & who agreed to takeme on for the remainder of my orientation, but then had to take back the offer for certain reasons.

I feel that a good preceptor is vital to our success and unfortunately my initial experience hasn't been great.

Hopefully I will get through the next few weeks and not freak out once I am on my own!!!!!